WRESTLERS TO WATCH
(in alphabetical order)
Hunter Anderson, Sr., Midview: Anderson qualified for his first state tournament as a junior last year. He nearly pulled out a win in his first consolation match, but a reversal in the final seconds eliminated him earlier than he would have liked. Anderson isn’t an unknown after his breakout campaign from a year ago.
Nate Bober, Sr., North Ridgeville: Bober was a big bright spot for the Rangers last season with a 33-9 record. While the end of last season was a bitter pill to swallow for the standout for various reasons, Bober has what it takes to make a run to Columbus.
Blake Cancel, So., Elyria: Cancel showed some promise among the younger group of Pioneers last winter. Among the lighter weights, he’s one to watch for a big second-year jump under Armando Torres and Co.
Brad Cerankosky, Sr., Westlake: Cerankosky fell one match short of placing in his first trip to Columbus last year, but that state experience should help when it comes time to throw down in what’s likely to be another tough Perrysburg District in March.
Matthew Chalkwater, Jr., North Olmsted: Chalkwater impressed over the course of his sophomore campaign. A sectional champion, Chalkwater battled hard in the middle weights for a fifth-place finish at Districts in a difficult Perrysburg field.
Andrew Connelly, Sr., Olmsted Falls: Connelly is one of Olmsted Falls’ best, with a rich family legacy in wrestling. He could join the ranks of several members of the Connelly family as a state qualifier come March.
Austin Dye, Sr., Midview: Punching his second straight ticket to Columbus last year with a podium finish to boot, the now senior heavyweight will try to climb from eighth to the top in his final campaign.
Eian Englehart, So., Avon: The sophomore didn’t look or act like a freshman last year at 190 pounds. He wrestled and conducted himself like a veteran. It’s easy to see a scenario where he makes the trip down I-71 to Columbus with expected year-over-year improvement. He also did well for himself at the freshmen OAC tournament in March, taking home championship honors.
Michael Frye, So., Columbia: While Columbia graduated the majority of its starting lineup, Frye was a starter for the reigning LC8 champions. He should lock down a spot in the lower weights for the Raiders.
Tristin Greene, Sr., Keystone: Greene was amazing during the 2022-23 season, going 47-2 and becoming the first state champion from a Lorain County school since 2019 (and Keystone’s first ever in program history) in dominating fashion. The Fargo Greco Roman National Champion and one-time Fargo All-American should be a heavy favorite to repeat with his second straight state title in his senior campaign, sitting at 130 career wins. While 200 wins may be a bit tough to come by, a fifty win season isn’t out of the question.
Keystone wrestling: Defending state champion Tristin Greene continues to challenge himself
Brogan Hartup, Sr., Westlake: Hartup is one of a couple of Westlake wrestlers who showed a ton of promise a year ago. Finishing third in the sectional tournament to qualify for district, Hartup is a wild card among those on this list.
Connor Holm, Sr., Elyria: For the third straight year, Holm qualified for the state tournament. While he did win a match for the first time in Columbus, he fell late in the match to place in the consolation bracket. After ex-Elyria state runner-up Kaiyon McKinney transferred back to Perkins for his final two years of high school, Holm's veteran leadership will be even more critical for a Pioneers squad that is still much younger than Holm’s first two seasons.
Tanner Moore, Jr., Westlake: An impressive 37-12 sophomore showing by Moore resulted in a sixth-place finish at the Perrysburg District. Moore’s toughness on the mat stands out as he battled tooth and nail against his opponents. The Demons’ junior class has some good returning talent, though Moore gets the nod here.
Tony Mrosko, So., Avon: Mrosko’s technique stood out when he was on the mat, but like any young wrestler some polish was needed. Avon coach Mark Jayne knows he can get a lot out of the sophomore, with raised expectations for the second year varsity starter.
Anthony Rocco, Sr., Bay: Rocco was spectacular last season, winding up as a state placer in Columbus with a 40-plus win campaign. He competed in Greco Roman and Freestyle during the offseason at Fargo. The senior won’t take anything for granted in his final year as a Rocket.
Caiden Rosario, So., Lorain: Rosario was runner-up in his weight class at the OAC freshman tournament. The last time Lorain sent a state representative to Columbus was in 2017. As things stand right now, Rosario is one of the highest upside wrestlers on the Titans’ roster, but still very young in his high school career.
Adam Schumacher, Sr., Avon: Schumacher looked like someone who could get to Columbus last winter, but wound up a little short. Among the Avon wrestlers on this list, he’s going to be up against a ton of tough competition in his weight class in a competitive SWC.
Vananthony Trunzo, Sr., Amherst: Going 30-10 a year ago, Trunzo wound up as a state alternate with a great showing at Perrysburg last March. Amherst is loaded with upperclassmen talent, with Trunzo leading the way among 14 returning wrestlers, including around a half-dozen or so senior contributors.
Jack Valerino, Jr., Avon Lake: Valerino took strides last year and now will take on a bigger role after several graduations, including his elder brother Michael. Jack looked good at times last year but was still figuring things out. Expect the junior Valerino to stand out this year among Scott Sedlick’s kids.
Kevin Williams, Sr., Firelands: Williams had to work his way through the grinder to qualify for Columbus. He’s fast on his feet and able to work aggressively. If his momentum from his junior year carries over and with expected improvement, perhaps a top-eight podium finish could be in the cards.
PIN POINTS
• The area will be returning seven boys wrestlers who made the state tournament in 2023 and all of them are seniors. They are listed by highest placement in 2023 and by alphabetical order based on their finish at state wrestling: Tristin Greene, Keystone (D-III state champion); Austin Dye, Midview (D-I eighth place); Anthony Rocco, Bay (D-II eighth place); Brad Cerankosky, Westlake (Went 1-2 in D-I); Connor Holm, Elyria (1-2, D-I); Hunter Anderson, Midview (0-2, D-I); Kevin Williams, Firelands (0-2, D-II). Avon Lake senior Clay Broadhurst was a state qualifier in 2022 as a sophomore, but fell short at Perrysburg last season.
• Tristin Greene will look to be the first repeat state champion from the area Lorain County schools since Elyria’s Brendon Fenton did so his sophomore and junior seasons (2016 and 2017)
• The Burnett family legacy continues. Hall of Fame coach Erik Burnett’s eldest son, Mick, will be an assistant coach this season at Elyria Catholic. It’s the first official coaching job for the former Elyria 2019 state champion.
• All boys wrestling head coaches from the area’s coverage schools in 2022-23 returned to their positions this winter. While an exact year couldn’t be verified as to the last time all coaches returned to their posts in back-to-back seasons, the last instance would have taken place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• There will be at least one guaranteed head coach opening for the 2024-25 wrestling season barring a last-minute change of heart. Amherst's Bill Walker confirmed to The Morning Journal that he intends for this winter to be his final year coaching at Amherst. Walker has spent the last 21 years as a head coach. He’s assembled a group of assistants and volunteers that include former Michigan State NCAA national champion, Tom Milkovich, who also coached at Cleveland State, Auburn University, North Olmsted and other stops; Dan Milkovich, a former Cuyahoga Heights coach, and Lorain County legend Dan Ternes.
